Inflatable umbrella



July 28, 1936. c. HUBER INFLATABLE UMBRELLA Filed March 2, 1956ATTORNEY.

- ?atented July 28, 1936 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

One object of this invention is the provision of a collapsibleinflatable rubber umbrella or para-' sol, so constructed that it may bereduced to a small compact mass when not in use, and may be readilyextended and inflated when about to be used.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a net-like interiorbracing for the umbrella, which may be used as a carryall bag when theumbrella is collapsed.

, A further object of the invention is the provision of a collapsibleand detachable post or handle for the umbrella. The above and otherobjects will become apparent in the description below, in whichcharacters of reference refer to like-named parts in the accompanyingdrawing.

.Rei'erring briefly to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the inflated umbrella.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure '1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged central cross-sectional view through theumbrella post and a portion of 2.3 the inflatable central portion.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the extended net showing the collapsedumbrella at the center thereof.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the collapsed 30 umbrella carried atthe bottom and outside of the net, the latter being gathered in themanner of a bag.

Figure 6 is an inverted view similar to Figure 5 with the collapsedumbrella inside the net.

Figure 7 is a view illustrating a small container in which the entirecollapsed umbrella may be carried.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral l0 indicates theumbrella post which is formed 40 of a plurality of telescopic sectionsH, the lowermost of which is provided with a handle l2. Screws or thelike 13 are provided on the telescopic handle sections II and areadapted to register in recesses It so that these sections may 5 belocked in either extended or retracted position.

A hollow drum i5 is provided with a plurality of peripheral openings l6whose outer extremities lie in a peripheral groove I 1 formed by upper50 and lower peripheral flanges or lips I 8. A plurality of roundedcomplementary rubber bag-like sections l9, downwardly arcuate in crosssection, each having the outline in plan view when inflated, of a sectorof a circular area, have their 55 tip ends 20 lying within the groove llbetween the lips it. One or more openings 2| are provided in the tip end20 of each section IS in alignment with one or more of the openings I6in the groove l1, and these tip ends 20 are locked between the lips l8in any desirable manner, as, 5 for instance, by vulcanizing.

At diametrically opposite points in the periphery of the assembledsections is telescopic extensible or retractable ribs 22 are provided.The inner ends of these ribs are secured to the outer l0 edge of thesection IS in any desirable manner such, for instance, as locking theoverlapping edges 23 of the sections is against the inner sections ofthe ribs 22. Friction springs 220. are provided to prevent slidingtogether of the ex- 15 tended ribs 22. A web 24 formed of a single sheetof rubber, is provided, as an extension from the outer edges of thesections l9, and this web encircles the ribs 22, the outer ends of thelatter projecting through openings 21 in the web 24. 20

A net 25 is formed by providing a plurality of radial cords 26 attachedto and extending from the bottom of the drum IS. The cords 26 are joinedat spaced-apart intervals by a plurality of concentric cords 28. Theends of the cords 25 26 are provided with loops 29 through which a rope30 is threaded. A plurality of hooks 36 are provided around the innerperiphery of the sections 19 on which the loops 29 of the cords 23 arehooked when the umbrella sections l9 have 30 been inflated. The rope 30is provided with two ends 3| which may be drawn together and tied into aknot to tighten the rope 30 when the umbrella is in extended andinflated position. The net 25 thus serves as a prop to resist the forceof the wind, or any other eflort to turn the umbrella inside out, and tomaintain the convex form of the umbrella.

The innermost post section I la is provided with an internally threadedend which screws on the screw 32 in the base of the drum IS. The top ofthe drum I5 is provided with an opening 34 adapted to be closed by athreaded cap 35. The sections I! are inflated upon removing the cap 35by placing the lips around the top of the drum I5 and blowing into thesame through the opening 34. A membrane valve 31 of standardconstruction, is provided within the drum l5 to prevent exhaust or theair from the sections IS, the type of valve being that which will permitexhaust 01 the air upon depression of the membrane through the hole 34in the same manner as is usual in toy balloons. When the umbrella is notin use, the deflated sections l9 will collapse into a small mass, andthe rib members 22 are retracted.

The post sections I I are retracted and then detached by unscrewing thesection I la from the screw 32.

After the sections it have been collapsed, they will shrink to the sizeshown in Figure 4. Then the periphery oi the net 26 is gathered togetherand formed into a bag, as shown in either Figure or Figure 6. This bagmay then be folded together into a small mass and placed, together withthe collapsed post it, in a small container similar to that shown at 33.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

i. A collapsible umbrella comprising a hollow drum having a peripheralgroove, a plurality of complementary convex inflatable bag-like sectionsof elastic material having reduced ends, said reduced ends being securedin said groove, said drum being provided with openings in said groove,said reduced ends having openings aligned with said groove openings, theoutline of said sections in plan view being similar to sectors of acircle, the outer ends oi said sections forming a circular periphery, aremovable cap on said drum, a post i'ormed of telescopic section securedto said drum, and means for tightening the periphery of said sections toretain said sections in umbrella-shaped form when in inflated condition.

'2. A collapsible umbrella. comprising :a hollow drum having aperipheral groove, .a plurality of complementary convex inflatablebag-like sections of elastic. material having reduced ends, said reducedends being secured in said groove, said drum being provided withopenings in said groove,

said reduced ends having openings aligned with aosasso said grooveopenings. the outline of said sections in plan view being similar tosectors of a circle, the outer edge oi said sections forming a circularperiphery; a removable cap on said drum, means for tightening theperiphery of said sections to re- 6 tain said sections inumbrella-shaped iorm when in inflated condition, a web secured to theperiphery oi said sections, and a plurality of retractable ribs securedto the periphery of said sections supporting said web in extendedposition. 10 3. A collapsible umbrella comprising a hollow drum having aperipheral groove, a plurality of complementary convex inflatablebag-like sections of elastic material having reduced ends, said reducedends being secured in said groove, said drum being provided withopenings in said groove, said reduced ends having openings aligned withsaid groove openings, the outline of said sections in plan view beingsimilar to sectors oi a circle, the outer edge of said sections forminga circular periphery, a removable cap on said drum, a post formed oftelescopic sections secured to said drum, and means for tightening theperiphery oi said sections to retain said sections in umbrella-shaped.form when in inflated condition, said means comprising a circular nethaving its center secured to the bottom oisaid drum, hooks arrangedalong'the inner surface of said sections and having said net securedthereto, a rope loosely secured in-the periphery of said net and adaptedto be tightened to tauten the periphery oi said net to retain saidsections in turned down -posi tion,said sections when deflatedcollapsing to a small mass at the center of said net, the periphery 01-said net being adapted to be gathered together to form a carryall bag.

